Modern Untouchability? RJD Women Claim BJP Forcing TV Channels to Drop Them from Debates

New Delhi— Women spokespersons of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have accused Indian television channels and ruling party representatives of deliberately excluding them from debate panels.

RJD’s national spokesperson and JNU PhD scholar Priyanka Bharti took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to allege that several news channels, under political influence, have repeatedly avoided inviting her to debates.

Bharti went as far as calling this practice a form of “modern untouchability.” Sharing her experience, she wrote:

In a statement to The Mooknayak, Bharti explained:

“Ever since I became a spokesperson, this kind of unofficial boycott has been happening. Our stance has always been clear—if casteist slurs or derogatory remarks against Bahujan icons are made, we will not remain silent. We want to highlight the pain of Bahujan society on TV, whether channels like it or not. That is what disturbs them. This isn’t happening only with RJD; Samajwadi Party spokespersons face the same treatment.”

She further revealed that certain anchors and panelists who had clashed with her over caste-related issues pressured channels not to include her. “It was only after our party made it clear that if I am not on the debate, no one from RJD would participate, that I was finally included after four to five shows,” she said.

Bharti added that the party has now taken a firm stand:

Bharti named BJP spokesperson Ajay Alok as one of those who openly opposed her presence. “He said on-air that he would not participate in any debate where I was present, and that no BJP spokesperson would either,” she alleged.

Ajay Alok, who hails from Bihar, was earlier associated with Janata Dal (United) and was considered close to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He later joined the BJP in Delhi, in a ceremony attended by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who formally inducted him into the party.

RJD’s national spokesperson Kanchana Yadav has also made similar accusations. On her social media handle, she wrote:

Yadav said that within just two days, five channels had dropped her from scheduled debates. “One channel initially showed courage and invited me despite the pressure, but within 10 minutes of my joining, BJP’s office called and demanded I be removed. When I wasn’t, BJP pulled its spokesperson off the show. Another channel dropped me just 10 minutes before going live, while one didn’t even bother to inform me,” she said.

According to her, channels admitted that they had “tried their best” but BJP refused to agree. “The truth is, their narrative is consistently failing against RJD. Anchors who openly side with BJP, so-called analysts who are essentially ideological supporters of the Sangh, and NDA spokespersons are all speaking the same language. Yet, they are rattled by RJD’s women spokespersons,” she claimed.

Yadav stressed that the real issue lies in the discomfort of facing women from marginalized backgrounds.

“They never imagined women from backward and Dalit communities would challenge their arguments so strongly. Misogyny is already ingrained in their ideology. But this fight will not end here. We will not back down out of fear,” she asserted.

Political analyst Ashutosh described this as a blatant attempt to silence dissenting voices.

“Both Kanchana Yadav and Priyanka Bharti have given a strong voice to the social justice and Dalit movement. Silencing them means silencing communities that have been denied speech for centuries. But these courageous women will not remain mute spectators,” he said.

RJD state spokesperson Sarika Paswan also accused BJP and major media houses of targeting her.
In a post, she wrote:

“It has always been BJP’s tactic—when they fail to respond to Bahujan women’s questions, they simply walk out. Now they have instructed channels not to allow me, Priyanka, or Kanchana on debates, warning that their spokespersons will boycott if we are included. Their fear is understandable—our combination is dangerous for them.”

Backing the women, RJD national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Kumar Jha raised concerns over the matter on social media.

“This is a disturbing reality of TV debates—our educated, articulate women spokespersons are being sidelined because BJP refuses to face them, and channels comply. If BJP decides who from the Opposition gets to speak, it is no longer fair debate but stage-managed theater. In a democracy, Opposition parties have the right to choose their own representatives, not with the ruling party’s approval.”

He added, “If the government starts deciding who sits across from them, the very purpose of debate is lost. True media independence lies in allowing every voice to be heard—even those uncomfortable for those in power. That is the real test of democracy.”

As of now, the BJP has not issued any official response to these allegations.